Donald Trump has reportedly intervened in the Chagos Islands deal (Image: GETTY )
Donald Trump has reportedly called for the US to be included at the negotiating table alongside the UK and Mauritius on the future of the in a staggering last-minute intervention.
Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolan has said the White House requested a “representative in the meetings” as the countries negotiate a final deal on the fate of the disputed British territory.
“We have agreed to that,” he told
Mr Ramgoolam added that any other parts of the proposed deal, which would see the UK hand over the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius, were “too sensitive” to comment on.
The current agreement involves Britain paying Mauritius £90 million a year for 99 years to maintain control of a joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia – the largest island in the Chagos.
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It also prevents Mauritius from “renting” the nearby islands of Peros Banhos, Danger Island and the Egmont Islands.
intervention could see further delays after a new deal between the UK and Mauritius was reached, pending approval from the US.
US officials have warned handing over the islands to Mauritius – which has growing ties with Beijing – could give a stronger foothold in the Indo-Pacific region.
Sir ’s decision to give up the Indian Ocean territory has been met with furious criticism from opposition, including the and Reform UK.
They have argued the to appease international courts, even though it could fracture Britain’s relationship with the US.
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Others have argued that the Chagos Islands deal is necessary to avoid a significant conflict with one of Britain’s adversaries.
Stephen Doughty, minister for the British overseas territories, has warned or China could build a spy base on Diego Garcia if the archipelago isn’t given to Mauritius.
He wrote in The Times: “If you value UK national security, and that of our allies, you should support this deal.”
The MP for Cardiff South and Penarth compared a possible “serious confrontation” to that of the Cuban Missile Crisis involving the US and Soviet Union.
He warned that China or could exploit an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which decreed that Britain had no sovereignty over the islands.